West Berkshire · London and the South East
Roof leak investigation in Oare, West Berkshire
Get a clear view of the leaking roof at a property in Oare from an independent roof surveyor. Visits run on weekdays and weekends, in the daytime.
- Damp on a chimney breast
- Wet patches on loft insulation
- Damp walls below an overflowing gutter
Roof leak investigation in Oare
Our job is to find the likely source and tell you. The report shows, with photos, where we believe the water gets in and how it travels, plus recommendations on what needs attention. Whoever does the work then has a clear starting point. We find and report the source, while the repair is a separate matter. We survey the roof space, lead flashings and valleys and parapet gutters, and people most often book us about leaks at a dormer or roof window and drips in the loft during heavy rain.
In a village or hamlet like Oare, older cottages and farmhouses frequently have roofs that have been patched over many years. A new leak may be fresh damage or the latest sign of long-term wear, which matters if you’re thinking of an insurance claim. We check what can be seen safely and set out what we find. Damp in old walls and timbers is slow to dry, so the sooner the cause is found the better.
How fast the report arrives depends on the package: the Basic Survey within 48 hours, the Standard Survey in 24 to 48 hours and the Premium Survey on the same day.
- Where
- Oare (RG18)
- Wider area
- West Berkshire
- Price
- From £150 inc. VAT
- Your report
- Written, with photos, emailed to you
- Survey days
- Monday to Sunday, daytime
- Insurance
- Professional indemnity and public liability
- Call
- 07833 053749
- Page updated
- 27 October 2026
Landlords, agents and block managers in Oare
Buyers’ agents can book surveys on behalf of their clients. Reports are emailed, so they’re easy to pass on.
Letting agents often book on a landlord’s behalf, with the report sent to whoever needs it. Access is agreed with the tenant ahead of time.
What a roof leak investigation looks like in Oare
Across the South East, older homes tend to have slate or clay tiles, and many later ones concrete tiles, with flat-roofed extensions, dormers and garages common everywhere. Where water gets in depends a good deal on what the roof is made of and how it’s detailed. With Shaw House about 4 miles south-west, Oare sits in an area with a long building history. Period homes nearby can have lead valleys, tall chimneys and a patchwork of past repairs.
If you own a rental within reach of Newbury Racecourse station, a tenant living with a leak needs the cause found, not just the stain painted over. If you look after a building like Hermitage Primary School, water through a big roof can travel a long way before it drips, so the search covers more than the obvious spot. The streets around a church such as Church of St Bartholomew are often among the oldest in a place, and if you own one of the older houses nearby, old mortar, worn lead and slipped slates are the usual suspects when water gets in.
Oare is about 4 miles north of Thatcham, in West Berkshire. Bookings from Oare are handled just like any other: get in touch, agree the price and pick a day. Oare is one of the towns and villages in West Berkshire we cover. We also survey roofs in Reading.
Postcode districts we cover here for roof leak investigations: RG18. We offer roof leak investigations to properties on Manor Lane and Old Street and the roads around them. We also cover the places around Oare: Little Hungerford (1 mile south-east), Hermitage (1 mile south), Wellhouse (1 mile south-east), Longlane (1 mile south) and Curridge (2 miles south-west). Larger places within reach include Newbury (5 miles south-west), Thatcham (4 miles south), Burghfield Common (10 miles south-east), Speenhamland (5 miles south-west), Hungerford (11 miles west) and Spencers Wood (14 miles east).
Around Oare
Around Oare, our work takes us to homes and buildings near The White Horse pub. The closest station to Oare is Newbury Racecourse station, about 4.7 miles south. Well-known places in the area include Hampstead Norris Castle (1.8 miles north-east) and West Berkshire Community Hospital (4 miles south). Green spaces nearby include Snelsmore Common.
Should I look at the roof myself first?
Inside, the loft is a good place to look, with care. Use a torch and stay on the joists or boards, and look for staining, damp timber or daylight coming through.
Your own check is a good start, but it isn’t a survey. From ground level, valleys, flashings and the backs of chimneys are frequently out of sight, and those are details a survey looks at closely.
Honest limits
Before you book, it’s worth knowing what a survey will not do:
- Structural calculations (that’s a structural engineer’s job)
- Plumbing leaks that look like roof leaks
- What’s under the covering or behind the plaster
If in doubt, phone 07833 053749 or email us and we will suggest the right survey. What our survey covers.
Roofs we survey in Oare
- Rooflights and dormers
- Slate and tile slopes
- Valleys and parapet gutters
- The roof space
- Flat roof details
- Lead flashings
- Chimney stacks
What else we do in Oare
What happens if roof problems are left?
Leaks tend to get worse, not better. Wind lifts loose slates further and gaps widen. An investigation now gives you time to plan the work. Older cottages and farmhouses around Oare can have roof timbers that have been there a very long time, where water from a failed roof can cause rot if it is left.
Thermal imaging and drone inspection (where applicable) come with the Premium Survey, from £400 including VAT. We can help you choose the package that fits what you need to know.
What you get with us
- Thermal imaging and drone inspection where they help
- Visits on any day of the week
- An independent view of the roof
- Over 5,000 surveys carried out
Read our cost guide and what we found on two real jobs.
Oare questions
Is Oare in the area you cover?
Yes, Oare is within the area we cover. We work right across London and South East England. You can call 07833 053749 or email us with the address and some details, and we will talk through which survey suits.
Will you come out to Oare?
We do. A small place gets exactly the same survey as a big one, with the route planned beforehand.
Could my leak actually be condensation?
Many apparent leaks turn out to be condensation. Leaks tend to follow wet weather and show in one place, while condensation is frequently widespread and worst on cold days. The report explains which it looks like and what to do.
Is the repair included in the leak investigation?
Our job here is to trace the leak and explain it, and the repair is separate. With the report, a roofer knows exactly where to look.
Does the report include photos?
Yes. Photos are part of every report.
How long will you be at the property?
On site, it usually takes roughly 1–2 hours on an ordinary house, and more on a big or complicated roof. Report times depend on the package.
Can you always find the source?
We can’t promise it. Water can travel a long way, and some leaks only show in particular storms. If we cannot be sure, the report ranks the possible sources.
What happens on the day
Every roof is different, but as a rough guide the survey takes between one and two hours for most homes, though a hard-to-trace leak can take longer. You’re welcome to ask questions while we’re there. In a hamlet or village like Oare, a postcode does not always lead to the right gate, so a few directions are welcome. After that, the survey runs as it would anywhere.
- We start with your notes and photos of the leak.
- We examine the damp area and the rooms near it.
- In the loft, we follow any signs of water back towards the roof.
- Outside, we check flashings, valleys, chimneys, gutters and flat roof details from every safe viewpoint.
- We email a written report showing where the water most likely gets in.
Preparing for the visit
- Note where any stains or damp appear
- Mention any parking restrictions on your street
- Keep pets out of the way during the survey
Getting a price
Surveys can be booked for weekdays, Saturdays or Sundays. To find a date that works for you, ring 07833 053749 or drop us an email with the address and the days you’d prefer.
Related advice
Tips that help
Most of what helps is simple and safe from ground level. Our suggestions:
- Have an electrician check any wet fittings
- Move stored items away from the hatch
- Protect furniture and flooring under the leak
- Keep a photo record of the damp patch
If condensation is the cause, we explain it, with recommendations on ventilation. It saves chasing a leak that is not there.
After a downpour, look in the loft space with a torch, keeping to boarded areas. Look for drips, damp patches and stains on timbers. Take photos of anything that changes.